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Prince Harry turns 40: Duke of Sussex’s life in 40 pictures | UK News

Prince Harry has turned 40 – spending his birthday in his new California home, where he lives with his wife Meghan and his children Archie, five, and Lilibet, three.

This is a look at his life – from newborn baby to cheeky toddler, from teenager to man.

Harry was born on 15 September 1984 at St Mary’s Hospital, London.

1984: The Prince and Princess of Wales leave hospital with Harry
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The Prince and Princess of Wales leave hospital in London with baby Harry in 1984. Pic: PA

As a young boy he was close to his mother Lady Diana and older brother William.

The Princess of Wales holds son Prince Harry while royal families posed for photographers at the Royal Palace, Majorca, Spain on Sunday, August 9, 1987. Prince Charles and Princess Diana with their two children William and Henry are spending a week’s vacation on the island as guests of King Juan Carlos and his family. (AP Photo/John Redman)
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A young Harry on holiday in Majorca with his mother in 1987. Pic: AP

Princes William and Harry, from the personal photo album of the late Diana, Princess of Wales
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A photo of the two brothers that appeared in the personal album of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. Pic: PA

Princess Diana with Prince Harry and Prince William in Niagara Falls in 1991. Pic: AP
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Princess Diana with Harry and William on a trip to Niagara Falls in 1991. Pic: AP

His parents divorced in 1996 – and Harry’s life changed forever when Lady Diana died in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

Harry, then aged 12, and William walked behind her coffin as it proceeded through the streets from Kensington Palace to Westminster Abbey.

Harry later said no child “should be asked to do” what they did.

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From left: Prince Philip, Prince William, Earl Spencer, Prince Harry and Prince Charles walk outside Westminster Abbey during the funeral procession for Princess Diana. Pic: AP
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Princes Harry and William joined family members during the funeral procession for their mother Diana. Pic: AP

Prince William and Prince Harry during their mother's funeral
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Prince William and Prince Harry during their mother’s funeral in September 1997. Pic: PA

After the death of Diana, Harry became even closer to William.

Harry said of William when he turned 21: “Ever since our mother died, obviously we were close, but he is the one person on this earth who I can actually really… we can talk about anything.”

The Princes in 2003
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Harry and William leaving church in Sandringham on Christmas Day in 2003. Pic: PA


Prince Harry, Zara Phillips and Prince William outside the Guildhall.
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Prince Harry with Prince William and his cousin Zara Tindall after his father’s wedding to Queen Camilla in 2005. Pic: PA

A young Prince Harry with Spice Girls Mel B, Emma and Victoria in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1997
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A teenage Prince Harry with Spice Girls Mel B, Emma, and Victoria in Johannesburg in 1997. Pic: PA


Prince Harry at Eton College in 2003. Pic: Reuters
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Prince Harry during his school years at Eton College in 2003. Pic: Reuters

The Duke of Sussex spent 10 years in the army, including two frontline tours to Afghanistan, and is patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, which supports veterans’ recovery through sports competitions.

Britain's Prince Harry speaks during an interview with media at Camp Bastion, southern Afghanistan in this photograph taken December 12, 2012, and released January 21, 2013. The Prince, who is serving as a pilot/gunner with 662 Squadron Army Air Corps, is on a posting to Afghanistan that runs from September 2012 to January 2013. Photograph taken December 12, 2012. REUTERS/John Stillwell/Pool (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: MILITARY POLITICS SOCIETY MEDIA ROYALS CONFLICT)
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At Camp Bastion, southern Afghanistan, in 2012. Pic: Reuters

Britain's Prince Harry cleans the kitchen work-top during his 12 hour VHR (very high ready-ness) shift, at the British controlled flight-line in Camp Bastion southern Afghanistan in this photograph taken November 3, 2012, and released January 22, 2013. The Prince, who is serving as a pilot/gunner with 662 Squadron Army Air Corps, is on a posting to Afghanistan that runs from September 2012 to January 2013. Photograph taken November 3, 2012. REUTERS/John Stillwell/Pool (AFGHANISTAN - Tags: MILITA
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In the kitchen at Camp Bastion in 2012. Pic: Reuters

Prince Harry had a long relationship with Chelsy Davy.

Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy (right) met in early 2004 while she at Stowe School, and were an on-again, off-again couple until May 2010
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Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy were an on-again, off-again couple until May 2010. Pic: Reuters

The Duke of Sussex was best man at his brother’s wedding – and worked with William and Kate on joint projects, including raising awareness for mental health problems.

His brother's wedding. Pic: AP

He undertook public duties during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, including travelling to Belize, Bahamas and Jamaica.

Britain's Prince Harry, right, and Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt pose for photographers doing Bolt's landmark gesture after a mock race in Kingston, Jamaica, Tuesday March 6, 2012. The Prince is in Jamaica as part of the Diamond Jubilee tour in honor of Queen Elizabeth II who celebrates 60 years on the throne. His visit comes as the new prime minister, Portia Simpson Miller, has called anew for the severing of ties with the British monarchy. (AP Photo/Collin Reid)
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With Usain Bolt in March 2012. Pic: AP

The Duke of Sussex walks through a minefield in Dirico, Angola, during a visit to see the work of landmine clearance charity the Halo Trust. Pic: PA
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The Duke of Sussex following in Diana’s footsteps, walking through a minefield in Angola, to see the work of landmine clearance charity the Halo Trust. Pic: PA

Harry started dating Meghan Markle after a blind date in 2016. They first appeared in public together at the Invictus Games in Toronto in September 2017.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were first pictured together as a couple when they watched Wheelchair Tennis at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada
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Prince Harry pictured with Meghan Markle for the first time at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto. Pic: PA

Prince Harry said he knew Meghan was “the one” when they announced their engagement two months later.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
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The couple announce their engagement in the grounds of Kensington Palace in November 2017

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Pic: Alexi Lubomirski
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Official engagement photo from 2017. Pic: Alexi Lubomirski

Millions watched when Harry and his bride tied the knot in a fairy-tale wedding at Windsor Castle in May 2018.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kiss
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The couple kiss after their wedding ceremony on the steps of St George’s Chapel, Windsor, in May 2018. Pic: Reuters

And it was smiles all around when the Royal Family gathered on the Buckingham Palace balcony that summer.

FILE - In this Tuesday, July 10, 2018 file photo Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, and Meghan the Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry watch a flypast of Royal Air Force aircraft pass over Buckingham Palace in London. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are to no longer use their HRH titles and will repay ..2.4 million of taxpayer's money spent on renovating their Berkshire home, Buckingham Palace announced Saturday, Jan. 18. 2020. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with the late Queen Elizabeth II on the Buckingham Palace balcony in 2018. Pic: AP

Queen Elizabeth, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex pose for a picture with some of Queen's Young Leaders at a Buckingham Palace reception following the final Queen's Young Leaders Awards Ceremony 2018
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Harry and Meghan with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s Young Leaders Awards Ceremony in 2018. Pic: Reuters

Months later, the Sussexes headed to Australia for their first tour as a married couple – and Meghan revealed she was pregnant.

Prince Harry and Meghan in Australia in 2019. Pic: AP
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Prince Harry and Meghan in Australia in 2019. Pic: AP

Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was born in May 2019.

 Prince Harry and Meghan with their newborn son Archie in 2019. Pic: AP
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Prince Harry and Meghan with their newborn son Archie in 2019. Pic: AP

Prince Harry with his son Archie
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Prince Harry with his son Archie during his Christmas break in Canada in late-2019. Pic: PA

Prince Charles, Prince Harry and Archie
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Baby Archie with his father and grandfather at his christening in 2019. Pic: Sussex Royal/Instagram

In 2020, the Sussexes took Archie to Africa for their first royal tour as a family of three.

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, holding their son Archie, meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation in Cape Town, South Africa, September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool
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Harry and Meghan with Archie in 2019. Pic: Reuters

But shortly thereafter, Harry dropped a bombshell statement: The Sussexes quit as “senior royals” and wanted to be “financially independent”.

The family moved to California – and gave an explosive interview to Oprah Winfrey.

Meghan famously said “concerns” had been raised about baby Archie’s skin colour before he was born and she had suicidal thoughts during her time in the Royal Family.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry speak in their interview with Oprah Winfrey
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The Sussexes in their interview with Oprah Winfrey. Pic: Reuters

Their second child, Princess Lilibet, was born in 2021.

Harry, Archie, Meghan and Lilibet. Pic: Alexi Lubomirski
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Harry, Archie, Meghan and Lilibet. Pic: Alexi Lubomirski

Lilibet at an 'intimate and casual backyard picnic' for her birthday. Pic: Misan Harriman
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Lilibet at an ‘intimate and casual backyard picnic’ for her birthday in March last year. Pic: Misan Harriman

That same year, Harry and William unveiled a statue dedicated to their mother Lady Diana. The brothers released a joint statement to honour their mother’s memory, but the rift between them remained.

Prince William and Prince Harry at the unveiling of Princess Diana's statue at Kensington Palace
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Prince William and Prince Harry at the unveiling of Princess Diana’s statue at Kensington Palace

Harry came back to the country for the funeral of Prince Philip in 2021.

According to Harry, following their grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral in September 2021, Charles had asked the brothers: “Please, boys – don’t make my final years a misery.”

But those who hoped for reconciliation were disappointed.

Harry and William speak following Prince Philip's funeral
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Harry and William at Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021

The “Fab Four”, as they were once known, were briefly reunited when Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022.

FILE - From left, Kate, the Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk to meet members of the public at Windsor Castle, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday., in Windsor, England, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.  Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, are expected to vent their grievances against the monarchy when Netflix releases the final episodes of a series about the couple...s decision to step away from royal duties and make a new start in America.(Kirsty O'Connor/Pool Photo via AP, File)
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Kate, William, Harry and Meghan meet members of the public at Windsor Castle following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Pic: AP

At the Coronation of his father, he took a back seat, and flew back quickly after the ceremony.

(left to right 3rd and 4th row) The Duke of York, Princess Beatrice, Peter Phillips, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Zara Tindall, Princess Eugenie, Jack Brooksbank, Mike Tindall and the Duke of Sussex, (left to right 2nd row) the Earl of Wessex, Lady Louise Windsor, the Duke of Gloucester, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Princess Royal Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Prince Michael of Kent, Princess Michael of Kent, (1st row) the Prince of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, the Princess of Wales and
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The royals at the King’s coronation

Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, leaves Westminster Abbey following the coronation ceremony of Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla, in London, Britain May 6, 2023. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool
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Harry leaves Westminster Abbey following the coronation ceremony. Pic: Reuters

Harry published his best-selling memoir Spare. There has also been a Netflix documentary looking at the Sussexes’ life.

A person holds a copy of the newly released autobiography from the Duke of Sussex, titled Spare, at Waterstones Piccadilly, London, as it goes on sale to the public for the fist time. Picture date: Tuesday January 10, 2023.
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Harry’s autobiography titled Spare. Pic: PA

Prince Harry was interviewed by host Stephen Colbert about his new memoir Spare. Pic: CBS via AP
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Prince Harry was interviewed by host Stephen Colbert about his new memoir Spare. Pic: CBS via AP

Duke and Duchess of Sussex kissing in a kitchen
PIC:Netflix
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex kissing in a kitchen. Pic: Netflix

The Duke of Sussex has waged a war against some of the tabloids, which he claims have obtained information about his life illegally.

He won a privacy case against Mirror Group newspapers last year after a judge ruled his phone had been hacked by the Daily Mirror. He was the first British royal in 130 years to give evidence in court after bringing the case.

Mirror Group Newspapers have said they have apologised “where historical wrongdoing took place” and “have taken full responsibility and paid compensation”.

The Duke of Sussex leaving the Rolls Buildings in central London after giving evidence in the phone…
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The Duke of Sussex leaving the Rolls Buildings in London after giving evidence in the phone hacking trial against Mirror Group Newspapers

Recently, the couple travelled to Nigeria.

Pic: AP
Prince Harry and Meghan gesture as they visit children at the Lights Academy in Abuja, Nigeria, Friday, May 10, 2024.  Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have arrived in Nigeria to champion the Invictus Games, which he founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
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Harry and Meghan in Abuja, Nigeria, in May. Pic: AP

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